Presidential advisor David Ndii has sounded an alarm over the future of formal employment in Kenya, warning that digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will drastically cut payroll jobs in the coming years.
Taking to his X account on Saturday morning, Ndii predicted that up to 50 percent of white-collar jobs in Kenya could disappear due to automation. He referenced the banking sector as an example, noting that technological innovations had already reduced its workforce significantly over the last decade.
Ndii explained that payroll jobs account for only 15 percent of Kenya’s workforce, with the majority about 85 percent working in the informal sector. He warned that by 2040, most employment in Kenya would shift to gig-based opportunities, short-term contracts, and freelance work rather than permanent jobs.
“Payroll jobs are 15 percent of Kenya’s workforce. Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence will eat 50 percent of those. The bank’s workforce flatlined a decade ago. In 2050, 90 percent of employment will be gig jobs,” Ndii stated.
While urging Kenyans to adapt to the fast-changing technological landscape, Ndii’s remarks come amid growing concerns about exploitation in AI-related gig work.
A recent investigation by Africa Uncensored revealed that AI companies are recruiting thousands of digital workers under the guise of freelancing opportunities. However, many workers end up with little or no pay, as most of the tasks are completed by AI systems.
The report found that some companies inflate workforce numbers to appear scalable and secure large contracts, using workers as collateral rather than offering meaningful employment. One company had registered up to 10,000 members by July 2025, yet many had almost no work to do.
As Kenya faces this digital disruption, Ndii’s call highlights both an urgent need for reskilling and adaptation and a growing debate over the ethics of gig economy platforms shaping the future of work.
